David Mark Regains ADC Control as Supreme Court Voids PDP Convention

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday delivered two major judgments that significantly altered the leadership struggles within Nigeria’s opposition political parties, overturning a controversial convention in the Peoples Democratic Party and restoring the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress headed by former Senate President David Mark.

The decisions, handed down by separate panels of the apex court, are expected to have far-reaching political implications ahead of the 2027 general elections as opposition parties intensify internal restructuring and coalition talks.

In one of the rulings, the Supreme Court nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025, ruling that organisers violated an existing Federal High Court order restraining the exercise.

The judgment dealt a major blow to the faction associated with former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, whose supporters had defended the convention as a legitimate attempt to stabilise the party.

Shortly after the judgment, prominent PDP leaders moved into emergency consultations in Abuja amid fears that the ruling could deepen divisions within the party.

Among those reported at the closed-door meeting were Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, members of the party’s Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, National Caucus and National Assembly caucus.

The meeting, held at Bauchi House in Asokoro, reportedly focused on the legal and political consequences of the court’s decision and possible steps toward preserving party unity.

In a separate but equally significant judgment, the apex court restored the ADC leadership led by David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.

The leadership dispute in the ADC stemmed from a legal challenge seeking to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as party officers pending the outcome of a substantive suit.

The plaintiffs had also requested court orders restraining the two politicians from acting in official capacities or occupying the party’s national secretariat.

However, delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Garba held that the trial court merely issued procedural directives and did not make a definitive ruling granting or refusing an injunction.

The Supreme Court ruled that because no substantive injunction had been granted or denied, parties challenging the lower court’s directives required leave before filing an appeal.

According to the court, the appeal filed against the lower court’s “status quo ante bellum” order was procedurally defective.

Political analysts say the judgment strengthens the authority of the David Mark-led leadership within the ADC at a time when smaller opposition parties are increasingly positioning themselves for possible alliances ahead of the next election cycle.

The ADC has recently gained renewed attention following reports of political realignments involving influential politicians seeking alternatives outside the ruling All Progressives Congress and the PDP.

Thursday’s judgments highlight the growing influence of judicial intervention in Nigeria’s political landscape, where party leadership disputes and convention controversies frequently end up before the courts.

Observers warn that continued factional crises within opposition parties could complicate efforts to build a united front capable of challenging the APC in 2027.